Telephone code : 033

The world Heritage area of Ha Long Bay has for years been the prime tourist attraction in northern Vietnam. As far as the country is concerned, the area is better known for its huge coal mines that supply much of the energy to keep Vietnam’s industries working.

Highlights

Royal Amusement Beach Park

Bai Chay, Ha Long City, Tel: 847-208.

Orchil and cactus garden, arts and crafts gallery, children’s amusement park.

Royal Zoo Island

Bai Chay Ha Long City ,Tel: 847-208

Just 200m from shore , it has the rare animals such as the white fox and white snake , birds and turtles. Open 6a.m to 6p.m, adimision VND 60,000

Getting there

Bus

From Hanoi, catch a  Cos express bus from Kim Ma bus station in Nguyen Thai Hoc street , tel: 845-2846. Getting there is much easier now that Highway 5 has been upgraded. The trip takes under 4 hours . The Sinhcafe bus cost 5 USd/1way. 9USD/2 ways.

Around Halong

CatBa Island

The largest island in HaLong Bay . The island has numerours lakes , waterfalls and grottoes and a huge national park that is home to 20 different mammal species and many rare birds.

Yen Tu Mountain

40km north west of HaLong City , the peak rises high above the vast north eastern mountain range ; it boasts picturesque scenery and 13^th century Buddhist pagodas.

Quan Lan Temple

Quan Lan commune , Van Don island , built in the 17^th century.

Tra Co Beach

132km from HaLong City and close to Chinese border, at 15km this is one of the country’s longest beaches.

Van Don Island

50km north east of HaLong City , it has 600 islets and a botanical garden .

Monkey Island

4km south-easr of Cam Pha distric , a good place to see the unique red-nose monkey